Anuradhapura, one of well-known ancient capitals of Sri Lanka lies 205 km (127 miles) north of the current capital of Colombo. It was the grand royal capital of almost 130 successive rulers of Sri Lanka from 4th century BC to beginning of 11th century AD. In the past, the city was given shelter for over 10,000 Buddhist bikkusand gigantic stupas ever built by man. Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lanka, sites that the city of Anuradhapura was named after a Minister called Anuradha who founded this area as a village settlement.
Anuradhapura is famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. The city, now a World Heritage site, was the centreof Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Today, Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage is home to preserved ruins, renovated Buddhist monuments and massive rainwater reservoirs. In the sacred city of Anuradhapura and in the vicinity are a large number of ruins. The ruins are consisted of three classes of buildings namely dagobas, monastic buildings, and ponds. The city had some of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world.
Sri Lanka’s prime attraction of the local pilgrims as well as the foreign tourists, Anuradhapura is the most adored living heritage city of Sinhalese Buddhists of Sri Lanka.
